F 29 

B5 A2 
Copy 1 



HISTORY 



-f,j — 



BELtFflST. MAINE, 



TO 1825. 



DR. HERMAN ABBOTF. 



WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY 
JOSKPR WiLI.lAMSON. 



RKPRTNfTF.n FROM THE REPUnfJCAN JOVRSAL OV 
•■r.h. 8, AND FER. 15, 1900. 



MISS GR.vrr E. ri j^Gf-^ss. 



SEVENTV-FIVK COPIES PRINTED. 



HlSTOf^Y 



— OF — 



BELiFflST, ]V[RI^lE, 



TO 1825. 



BY 

DR. HERMAN ABBOTT. 



with an introduction and notes by 
Joseph Williamson. 



REPRINTED FROM THE REPUBLICAN JOURNAL OF 
JAN. 25. FEB. I. FEB. 8, AND FEB. 15, igOO. 



BKLFAS r : 

MISS GR.ACE E. BURGESS. 
1900. 



i 



5 ^i-C>r^ 



Oi 



DISCOVERY OF A LONG LOST MANUSCRIPT. 



A prefatory ''advertisement" to the lit- I 
tie History of Belfast, by William White, j 
which was published in 1827, contains the 
following paragraph: 

"Doctor Herman Abbot had collected 
many facts, with a view of compiling a 
history of the town of Belfast. All the 
good purposes and labours of that worthy 
man were ended in his death, which oc- 
curred in the midst of his great useful- 
ness, and filled society with grief. His 
memoranda, by his adminiscrator, were 
placed iu the possession of the author 
who his found them accurate and useful, 
and that no part of them should be lost to 
the pub'ic, the manuscript is lodged in the 
Town Clerk's office." 

Fifty years after this was written, while 
prepariug my history of the city, I made 
an exhaustive but unsuccessful search for 
the above mentioned manuscript. Not a 
tingle person could be found who had ever 
seen the work, or knew of its existence. 
A few weeks ago, therefore, I was agree- 
ably surprised by learning from my friend 
George D. McCiillis, Register of Deeds, 
that while examining the contents of a 
Misused trunk, belonging to his father, 
the late James McCrillis, Esq., he had un- 
expectedly discovered the missing treas- 
ure, inclosed among some old papers, and 
in a good state of preservation after its 
sleep of nearly three quarters of a century. 



The manuscript is comprised in eight 
pamphlets, averaging fifteen pages each, 
five inches long by four wide, written in 
the same legible hand which characterizes 
our municipal records while the author 
held the position of town clerk. Although 
it does not shed much light upon our early 
annals, it verifies many obscure events, and 
its discovery is valuable and important. 

Dr. Abbot, the author, was a native of 
Wilton, N. H., and practiced h's profes- 
sion here from 1810, until his death, which 
took place July 24, 1825, at the age of 
forty- two years. Mr. Charles Read, who 
is among the few of our citizens who re- 
member him, says in personal appearance 
he was tall and spare, slightly stooping, 
but of a dignified and attractive deport- 
ment. He was never married. A tribute 
to his life and character is thus given in 
the Hancock Gazette, soon after his de- 
cease ; 

"The man whose virtues we contem- 
plate with no ordinary emotions, and 
whose sudden removing from this scene 
of things, we have so much reason to 
lament, was distinguished by a singulari- 
ty of excellence, which will always find 
more approvers than imitators in a world 
like ours. His scientific research and pro- 
fessional skill have been tested by many 
years' successful practice in this town, 
where he will long be remembered by his 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



intimate friends with grateful affection, 
and by the community of wliich he was a 
member with universal respect. But we 
love to contemplate him in a still higher 
character, — higher, because it had a more 
important bearing upon the world to which 
he is now removed. We mean his char- 
acter as a man of unbending integrity, a 
Christian of unaffected piety. The church, 
of which he was both a highly valued 
member and oflacer, have regarded him as 
a brother, to whom they could look with 
confidence in seasons of difficulty, and 
whom they now mourn with a sorrow al- 
leviated only by the delightful conviction 
that their loss is his unspeakable gain. 
Having lived with the awards of eternity 
in view, death met him not unprepared. 
In his last hours he observed to a friend 
that 'he considered death as the inevita- 
ble lot, but to the Christian not an evil,' " 
The following is an exact copy of the 
manuscript. The foot notes are added by 
me. Joseph Williamson. 



Hif*.ory of Belfast 

From its First Sfttlement to the Year 1835. 
BY HERMAN ABBOT. 



P14EFACE. 

To collect and preserve a few facts re- 
lating to the early history and settlement 
of this town; the leading traits in the 
character of its first inhabitants, together 
with their privations and hardships; to 
notice our literary and religious institu- 
tions; our growing wealth and population; 
to mark the course of events and to de- 
scribe the improvements which have taken 
place here in the period of little more than 
half a century may be thought an object 
worthy of some attention. The proprie- 
tors and town records furnish much valu- 
able information respecting the days which 



have long since passed away. These 
sources alone abound in too few materials 
to answer the purpose, and treat of topics 
too general in their nature to embrace a 
copious and useful variety. A more de- 
tailed account therefore appeared indis- 
pensable; and it has become necessary by 
consulting the aged inhabitatants and the 
descendants of the proprietors and first 
settlers to arrest valuable matter in its 
slow but steady march to oblivion. The 
knowledge of many little incidents of for- 
mer times has by these means been sought 
out, arranged and committed to writing, 
which with the addition of more recent 
occurrences contain, as 1 trust, an inter- 
esting compilation. Considering, however, 
the manner of procuring some portion of 
the materials for this sketch of Belfast, I 
am sensible that slight inaccuracies will 
be found; at the same time the public 
may be assured that no pains have been 
spared to obtain the most authentic infor- 
mation. 

To those who have kindly assisted me 
in this undertaking, and particularly to 
Mr. John Cochran, the only surviving 
original proprietor resident in this town, 
through whose politeness I have had ac- 
cess to the proprietors' deed and records, 
I tender my grateful acknowledgments. 



HISTORY OF BELFAST, 

In the year 1708 a namber of young men 
belonging principally to Londonderry, N. 
H., began to adopt measures for the pur- 
chase of Belfast Township in the Province 
of Maine, 

The straitened circumstances of some 
and the strong local attachments of many 
more, who were unwilling to remove the 
distance of two hundred miles to endure 
hardships in a wilderness inhabitated only 
by Indians and wild beasts, presented 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



prospects truly formidable. A spirit of 
enterprise, however, overcame all obsta- 
cles and the plan vyas so far matured that 
a meeting was notified and held at Lon- 
donderry on the fourth day of October, 
when the intended purchasers divided the 
township into shares, subscribed for the 
number of shares each would take, and 
appointed a clerk to record their proceed- 
ings. 

In June following, Joseph Chadwick 
made a survey of the township, which con- 
tained, according to his estimate, 19,359 
acres. This was divided into fifty-one 
shares, and a deed bearing date August 
29, 1769, was made in consideration of 
fifteen hundred pounds by the heirs of 
Brigadier General Svmuel Waldo, viz. : 
Samuel Waldo, Esq., Francis Waldo, E>q., 
aud Suah Waldo, wife of said Samuel, 
(iier right of dower) of Falmouth, in the 
County of Cumberland, Maine; Is ac 
Winslow, E>q., of Roxbury, Massachu- 
setts; Thomas Flucker, E^q., and Hannah 
Flucker, his wife, (daughter of Brig.-Gen. 
Waldi ) of Boston, Massachusetts, (1) to 
Jjhn Mitcbel, six shares; John Gilmore, 
five shares; J,jhn Steel, three shares, Sam- 
uel Houston and James McGregore, each 
two shares; Moses Barnet, John Moor, 
J jhn Durham, Joseph Morrison, John 
Brown, James McGregore, Jr., John 
Morrison, Alexander Stewart, James Mill- 
er, William Clendinen, Matthew Reed, 
Samuel M irsli, Nathaniel Martin, and 
Joseph Gregg, each one share; WUliam 
Patterson, Matthew Chambers and Wil- 
liam McLaughlin, each half a share; all 
of Londonderry, N. H. John Tufts and 
James Gilmore, each two shares; Robert 
Macklewane, Alexander Wilson and John 

1. WinsU w derived an interest through his de- 
ceased wife, a daughter of General Waldo. 
Thomas an'J Hannah Klucker were the parents of 
the wile of General Knox. 



Davidson, each one share; all of Wind- 
ham, N. H. Robert Patterson of Pepper- 
ellboro, Maine, three shares; Alexander 
Little and John Cochran, both of Boston, 
each one share; David Hemphill of New- 
buryport, one share; James McLaughlin 
of Pembroke, N. H., half a share; and 
the remaining four shares in equal pro- 
portions to the afore named .John Mitchel, 
John Gilmore, Moses Barnot, John Tufts, 
Samuel Houston, John Moor and James 
McGregore, Jr. 

Previous to executing the deed the gran- 
tors of this township employed Richard 
Stimson to survey a suitable location for 
a road from Thomaston to Fort Point, for 
which service he was to have one hundred 
acres of land at some place on the route. 
He accepted the proposal and selected a 
spot near a sm;ill creek (2) which is the 
dividing line between this town and Pros- 
pect. Thither his father, Ephraim Stim- 
son, removed, whose family, the first 
that ever settled here, consisted of him- 
self and wife, two sons, Ephraim and 
Richard, and several daughters. 

In 1709, James Patterson aud Nathaniel, 
his brother, both young men, came to this 
town from Pepperellboro (3) and com- 
menced the business of felling trees and 
clearing land. They spent the ensuing 
winter here, at which time there was but 
one family in the place, the Stimson's, 
above mentioned. 

The next year, 1770, several of the town 
proprietors arrived and took possession of 
their newly acquired purchase, with the 



2. The stream in the western part of Searsport 
village, called Half-way creelc, Stimson's father 
first settled on the hill named for him Mount 
Ephraim. 

3. Now Paco. Jiimes Patterson settled upon 
the Stock Farm, on the ea.st side, long the home- 
stead of his nephew, the late Robert Patterson 
6th. Nathaniel resided on lot No. 32, also od the 
east side. 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



view of converting the lonely forest into 
fruitful fields for the support of them- 
selves and families. It was to be expected 
that they would bring with them the re- 
ligion, manners, habits and customs of 
the places they had left. Twenty-seven 
out of thirty-two purchasers belonged to 
Londonderry or Windham, whose inhabi- 
tants were principally of Scottish or Irish 
descent. In the former of these towns 
there were two societies of Presbyterians 
with each a clergyman of the first respec- 
tability. Rev. William Davidson and Rev. 
David McGregore, who had been settled 
there no less than thirty years. In the 
latter was the Rev. Simon Williams, a 
highly useful Presbyterian minister. To 
exchange these religious privileges, there- 
fore, for a situation where they could en- 
joy no stated preaching of the word and 
but very seldon hear a prayer or a sermon 
from those who are called to labour in 
the vineyard of the Lord and whose busi- 
ness it is more particularly to watch for 
souls as those who are to give account, 
must have been matter of deep regret to 
them and their friends. Many domestic 
and social ties implanted in maa for wise 
and beneficent purposes, and which 
form necessary links in the great chain 
which connects the human species, were 
severed by their removal. Taking the 
final leave pf father and mother, brothers 
and sisters with the express design of 
seeking a residence in the wilds of Maine 
awakened the tenderest sensibilities and 
gave impulse to the most affecting emo- 
tions of which kindred hearts are suscep- 
tible. 

These few adventurers were fully per- 
suaded that patient labour and rigid econ- 
omy were necessary to success in a new 
country. Industry, temperance and fru- 
gality. were virtues on which they set a 



high value; by the practice of which they 
acquired a hardy constitution and saved 
their earnings for useful purposes. 

In their manners they exhibited a model 
of perfect plainness and simplicity indica- 
tive of contentment and a cheerful disposi- 
tion, and so cordial was their reception of 
those who visited them that with very 
limited means it might be truly said they 
were given to hospitality. The Scottish 
dialect was understood and spoken by 
several of them; and some traces of it are 
retained to the present day. Those of 
the first settlers who remain and their 
immediate descendants, read the poems of 
Burns with a keen relish and are enthusi- 
astic admirers of the language of the 
Scottish bard. 

Nothing memorable happened after the 
settlement began until December 1770, 
when John Morrison and Thomas Steel 
were drowned by the upsetting of a boat 
in Belfast bay. 

The Proprietors held their first meeting 
here June 25th, 1771, the land was laid 
out into lots, and partition was made of so 
much of it as became necessary for the 
convenience of the settlers. 

The first white child born here was 
Ann, the second daughter of William Pat- 
terson and afterwards the wife of Enos 
West. Her birth happened May 9th, 1772. 
The same year William Patterson 2ad was 
married to Mary Mitchel by Dr. Crawford 
of Frankfort, a justice of the peace. This 
was the first marriage that took place in 
town. 

In 1773 the Town was incorporated and 
the warrant for calling the first meeting of 
the inhabitants was issued by Thomas 
Goldthwait, Esq., of Frankfort, of which 
the following is a copy. 

To Mr. John Mitchel of Belfast, Gentle- 
man, — Greeting. 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



Whereas the great and general Court 
at their sessions began and held at Boston 
upon Wednesday, the twenty -ninth day of 
May last, passed an act for incorporating a 
certain tract of laud lying on the westerly 
side of Penobscot Bay into a town by the 
name of Belfast in the County of Lincoln, 
and the said General Court having im- 
powered me, the subscriber, ti) issue a war- 
rant directed to some principal inhabitant 
in said town to notify and warn the In- 
habitants thereof qualified by law to vote 
in Town affairs to meet at such time and 
place as shall be therein set forth to 
choose such officers as may be necessary 
to manage the affairs of said Town, at 
which first meeting all the then male in- 
habitants that be at the age of twenty- 
one years shall he admitted to vote. 

These are, therefore, in his majesty's 
name to require you, the said John Mitch- 
el, to notify the said Inhabitants of Bel- 
fast to meet at your dwelling house in said 
Town on Thursday the eleventh day of 
November, at ten of the clock in the fore- 
noon, then and tiiere to choose a Town 
C'erk, Selectmen and all other Town Offi- 
cers acci)rding to law and make return of 
this warrant with your doings as soon 
after the same is carried into execution as 
may be. 

Given under my hand and seal at Frank- 
fort, October 1773. 

Thomas Goldthwait. 

In obedience to the above warrant I have 
warned the Inhabitants of Belfast to 
attend their first meeting as appointed in 
said warrant. John Mitchel. 

At this meeting Thomas Goldthwait was 
chosen Moderator; John Mitchel, Clerk; 
John Brown, Benjamin Nesmith and 
James Patterson, Selectmen; John Barnet, 
Treasurer; William Patterson, 1st, Con- 
stable; John Durham, Jr., Alexander 
Clark, and James Miller, Surveyors of 
Highways; John Durham and James Mor- 
row, Wardens. 

In 1774 the Town voted to send a peti- 
tion to the General Court at Boston to 
have non- resident lands taxed; that John 
Tufts carry the petition; and that he be 



allowed, as wages, three shillings a day; 
be finding vituals and drink for himself. 

Mr. John Barnet and Miss Isabella Dur- 
ham were joined in marriage Sept. 27th, 
1774 by Daniel Little. 

The Town Clerk entered on the records 
a certificate bearing date Nov. 8th, 1774, 
staling that he had lawfully published 
Mr. James Morrow to Miss Elizabeth Dur- 
ham, both of this Town. 

In 1775 the Town voted to raise one 
hundred dollars for the highways, and 
fifty dollars for preaching. John Tufts, 
John Brown, Solon Stephenson, James 
Patterson, and Samuel Houston were ap- 
pointed committee of safety. John Tufts 
was reC'im mended by vote of the Town 
for a Justice of the peace, and was soon 
after commissioned. 

The Town also voted, that if any per- 
son makes unnecessiry visits on the Sab- 
bath, he shall be looked on with contempt, 

i until he make acknowledgment to the 
public. Tile inhabitants, at this time, felt 
great iaconveuieuce, in being obliged to 
go fifteen miles, or more to mill; and an 
article was inserted in one of the Town 
warrants this year, 'To see if they could 
lay any plan to have a grist mill in town.' 
It does not appear that anything was 
done to remedy the evil complained of, 
except that the laying out certain roads 
to mill streams might be considered, as 

j holding out to individuals encouragement 
to build mills. The Selectmen warned 
Joseph Dow June 10th, 1775, to withdraw 
from this Town forthwith; for they would 
not accept him, as a Town inhabitant. 

1776. The committee of safety was 
composed of the same persons, as last 
year. Mr. James McCurdy was married 
to Miss Ann Mitchel Nov. 30th, 1776. 

1777. Committee of safety, inspection 
and correspondence; Alexander Clark, 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



Solon Stephenson, John Mitchel, James 
Patterson, Kobert Patterson, Samuel 
Houston, and Benjamin Nesmith. The 
Town appointed Solon Stephenson to lay 
before the General Court the misconduct 
of any person, either by word, or action 
against the United States. 

1778. The Town voted unanimously to 
approve of the constitution, or form of 
Government, as agreed on by the honora- 
ble Convention of this State. Yeas 19. 

Messrs. John Tufts, Si)lon Stephenson, 
John Brown, Committee of safety, &c. 
and were re-elected next year. 

1779. The Town voted to raise twenty- 
five pounds for its own use, or in a more 
modern style, for incidental expenses. 

This year Castine was taksa by jthe 
British and the Inhabitants of Belfast to 
their inexpressible mortification were re- 
quired to come forward and swear alle- 
giance to the King of Great Britain or be 
treated as enemies. To the arbitrary 
measures of this monarch they were vio- 
lently opposed; and refusing to bii>d 
themselves by the solemnities of an oath to 
engage in a cause which they so heartily 
despised and finding themselves in danger 
they quitted their farms and made good 
their retreat to places out of the reach ot 
persecution. (4) 

1785. No sooner had the war between 
this country and Great Britain come to a 
happy termination and the enemy had 
withdrawn from our borders than the 
settlers scattered in all directions, began 
One after another to return and occupy 
their farms. Some, however, were so 
well situated elsewhere that they did not 
wish to revisit the place where they had 
met so much trouble and vexation. There 



4. This is an error. Ten of the eighteen heads 
of fanailies then here, took the oath "under com- 
p .Ision," as they afterwards admitted. 



had been no town meetings since 1779 and 
Jonathan Buck, Esq., of Penobscot, 
agreeably to a resolve of the General 
Court, issued a warrant to John Tufts, 
Esq., directing him to call a meeting of 
the inhabitants on the twenty -ninth day 
of March for the purpose of choosing 
town officers and transacting town busi- 
ness. 

1788. The town sent a petition to the 
General Court that they might be em- 
powered to lay a tax of two pence per 
acre on all the lands in town to raise 
money In order to build a meeting house, 
settle a minister, make bridges and re- 
pair roads. 

1790. Number of inhabitants in town 
245. 

1792. Forty three votes were given for 

the separation of the District of Maine 
from Massachusetts & two against it. 

The town voted to build two meeting 
houses one on each side of the river to be 
erected at the expense of the inhabitants of 
each side separately. In the autumn town 
meetings were held in both of these 
houses. 

1794. A demand was made by govern- 
ment of ten soldiers from the Belfast Com- 
pany. (5) The town voted them a liberal 
allowance in addition to their regular pay 
in case they should be called into actual 
service. Mr. James Miller died Jan. 11th, 
aged 82. 

1795. Mr. John Steel died June 14th, 
aged 84. 

1796. At the commencement of this 
year there were only twelve framtd dwell- 
ing houses in town and but one of them 
two stories high. [6] 

5. This cail was occasioned by Indian hostili- 
ties in the western country, and" anticipated dif- 
ficulties with England. 

6. The two story house was built by Jaraes Mil- 
ler, in 1791. It was afterwards occupied by Rev. 
William Krothingham, and perished in the great 
fire of 1873. 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



A committee was chosen by the town to 
treat witb Mr. Ebenezer Price on terms 
of settlement as a minister composed of 
the f<>llowing persons, John Tufts, Solon 
Stephe son, Samuel McKeen, Samuel 
Houston, John Cochran, James Patterson, 
Benjamin Nesraith, Robert Steel, Tolford 
Durham, John Cochran 2nd and Alexaader 
Clark. 

The town voted to give Mr. Price two 
hundred dollars a year as a salary and to 
add ten dollars each year until it shall 
amount to three hundred dollars; also a 
parsonage lot reserved for the first settled 
minister except one acre for a meeting 
house to stand on and a sufficient quantity 
of land for a burying ground. 

A protest against the settlement of Mr. 
Price is on the records of the town signed 
by Solon Stephenson, Zenas Stephenson, 
Caleb Stephenson, William Patterson, Wil- 
liam Patterson, James Patterson Nathan- 
iel Patterson, Robert Patterson, Jerome 
Stephenson, George Cochran. Robert Coch- 
ran, Peter Cochran, John Cochran, John 
Young, Job Young, John Osborn, Josiah 
Dillingham, Ichabod Clark, Elisha Clark, 
Nathaniel Eells, Robert Miller, James 
Gammon, Robert Steel and Jonathan 
White. 

The following is a copy of the Letter 
of the Committee appointed by the town 
to wait on Mr. Ebenezer Price and notify 
him of his call to the ministry dated Bel- 
fast Sept. 19th, 179G. 
To Ebenezer Price A. B, 
Preacher of the Gospel. 
The People of the Town of Belfast wish 
health, grace and peace. 

We being fully sensible of our discon- 
solate and unhappy situation as a people 
while destitute of a spiritual guide, feel- 
ing ourselves and offspring deprived of 
rich and peculiar blessings so long as we 



are destitute of a regular church of 
Christ, the stated dispensation of the 
word and the administration of the ordi- 
nances of the gospel, and viewing our- 
selves candidates for immortality, duty 
calls on us to use our ability and exert 
our most zealous endeavors to obtain 
those spiritual blessing and privileges 
which Christ our Saviour hath provided 
in the gospel. We, therefore, make known 
to you, dear sir, our situation. 

It is now a considerable time that you 
have laboured with us in word and doc- 
trine and we view it the smiles of provi- 
dence that you have been led to this part 
of the vineyard of our Lord to us who are 
scattered like sheep upon the mountains 
without a shepherd. You have by your 
pablic labours, private walk, doctrine, 
example and by the testimonials of others 
recommended yourself to us as a faithful 
ambassador of Christ which demand our 
affection, respect and reverence. Ever 
since our first acquaintance the eyes of 
the people have been upon you that you 
should be set over them in the Lord; and 
'tis the general voice and united desire 
and prayer that should there be a church 
gathered here according to the rules of 
Christ you should take the pastoral care 
of this church and people, to be ordained 
over them and spend your days for their 
spiritual interest in the high and holy 
calling of a gospel minister, that we may 
no longer be as sheep going astray sub- 
ject to be devoured by wolves, but that 
in you we may find a faithful shepherd, a 
spiritual guide, one who will naturally 
care for us, who will deliver to us the 
doctrines of the gospel with plainness 
and simplicity, whose talents may be im- 
proved for our edification, whose words 
a balm for the wounded in spirit, whose 
example our pattern and whose season- 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



able admonitions our preservation from 
error, that we maj walk together while 
here on earth in love enjoying the ordi- 
nances of the gospel and be prepared to 
sit in Christ's kingdom forever. 

That you, dear sir, may see your way 
clear to manifest your acceptance of this 
call to the pastoral care of this church 
when gathered and coogregatioQ in the 
town of Belfast is our general, fervent, 
and humble prayer to Almighty G td. But 
as we expect of you spiritual things we 
would in like manner minister to your 
wants in carnal things. (Then follows 
the offer of the town in respect to settle 
ment and salary ) 

We submit this call and these propos- 
als to your serious and solemn considera- 
tion, beseeching God to direct you in the 
path of duty particularly in this most im- 
portant matter and th it he would grant 
that whatever be your determination we 
may acquiesce in the dispensations of his 
providence. 

Signed by Samuel McKeen, John Coch- 
ran, Tolford Durham and Alexander 
McMiliau. 

Mr. Price's answer. 
To THE Society and People of Bel- 
fast : — 
Dear and Beloved: 

'Tis now a considerable time since I re- 
ceived by the hand of your committee a 
call and proposals to settle with you in 
the gospel ministry. Sensible of your 
situation I feel myself under obligation 
as soon as possible to make known to you 
the result of my reflections on this sol- 
emn and important subject. It is a sub- 
ject of the greatest moment both to you 
and me because in it each of our soul's 
eternal interest is materially concerned. — 
On the decision I am called to give, much 
is depending, as it must be atieuded with 



endless consequences and because from it 
the glory and honor of Christ's kingdom 
are inseparable. Therefore, with what 
reverence, caution and assurance of duty 
ought I to decide, lest I wrong my own 
soul and mar the divine glory. — Accord- 
ing to the clearest light and helps I have 
been able to obtain from a prayerful en- 
quiry and the most mature deliberation 
providence directs to receive the call of 
the Society of Belfast as the call of God. 
— I do therefore, relying on God in obe- 
dience to what appears duty, publicly and 
cordially accept your invitation and pro- 
posals to be ordained over you in the work 
of the gospel ministry, and that as soon 
as an Ecclesiastical council may be con- 
vened and a Church of Christ gathered 
should the present appearance continue. 

I am not insensible that this decision is 
attended with things at present disagre- 
able and self-denying. There is an oppo- 
sition to my settlement. No ministers at 
hand with whom I might advise on emer- 
gent occasions and I am far removed from 
my kindred and friends, but the cross must 
be borne by the followers of Christ. I 
would feel submissive to God who dis- 
poseth all things according to infinite 
wisdom. — 

The reasons influencing me to this my 
answer are, the peculiar operations of 
providence relative to you as a Society 
since my first acquaintance with you; the 
repeated instances of your unanimity and 
apparent engagedness in the cause of the 
Redeemer and especially your last general 
public act. These, taking into view your 
critical situation should your endeavors 
prove ineffectual with the Council of my 
reverend fathers and brethren in the min- 
istry are reasons which leave me no room 
to doubt the propriety of my decision 
notwithstanding what has appeared to the 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



contrary. — But when I consider my un- 
worthiness of so high and holy a calling, 
my youtli, inexperience, liableness to err 
and to be drawn aside by temptation, to 
have the care of immortal souls, how ter- 
rifying the idea! Nothing but the desire 
of promoting the cause of the Redeemer 
in this place would influence me to settle 
with you. Suuuld this proposed union 
take place much will depend on you as a 
church and people not only to make my 
life confortable but to ease the burden of 
my ministerial labours. Those of you 
who profess to be the children of God 
will I trust feel it a duty constantly to 
bear me to the throne of grace, to 
strengthen my hands and encourage my 
heart. May I ever enjoy your counsel 
and since I am a man subject to like pas- 
sions with other men, when occasion 
calls do not withhold your seasonable and 
friendly admonitions. I shall expect from 
you moderation, candour and charity in 
your conduct towards me, and may I to- 
ward you discharge the duty of the minis- 
terial character, watching over the Lord's 
flock like a faithful shepherd, ministering 
to your spiritual wants teaching the com- 
mandments of God, preserve ray garments 
unspotted from the world and by soul free 
from the blood of all men. — And may I 
increase in grace, knowledge, wisdom, 
prudence and humility that you may be 
pr pfitrfd by my labours and example. — 
Should we unite as Minister and People, 
O that it might be for your mutual edifi- 
cation comfort and joy. May I go out 
and in before you in the fear of God, not 
counting my life dear to me but manifest- 
ing a willing mind to spend the days God 
shall give me in the service of Christ for 
your sakes. — And may you in me receive 
a rich blessing. May there be many souls 
from among j ju edified, comforted and 



brought to the saving knowledge of Christ 
thro' my instrumentality. 

The God of grace grant that we may 
walk together as minister and people en- 
joying the ordinances of the gospel in 
ove, union and Christian fellowship untill 
God in his own time shall call us from 
this scene of trial to spend an eternity 
with the spirits of the just made perfect. 
Ebenezek Price. 

You have doubtless anticipated that as 
my parents and friends live at a great dis- 
tance a few Sabbaths yearly will be nec- 
essarily taken in visiting them. 

A Council was convened on the twenty- 
eighth day of December consisting of 
Rev. E. Giilet, Rev. Jona. Powers, Rev." 
Juua. H use and Rev. W. Riddel, with their 
delegates. The next day a church was 
organized and Mr. Price was ordained. 
The original associates who composed 
the Rev. Mr. Price's church were John 
Tufts, Samuel McKeen, Samuel Houston, 
John Blown, John Cochran and John 
Alexander, the two first of whom were 
afterwards appointed deacons. 

1797. Mr. William McLaughlin died 
March 27ch aged 90. Mr. Nathaniel 
French died July 1st aged 50. Mr. Enos 
West was married to Miss Ann Patterson, 
the first born child of Belfast Dec. 5th. 

1798. S>>l()n Stephenson and twenty- 
two others petitioned the General Court 
to be incorporated with such others as 
might join them, their polls and estates, 
into a distinct Parish by the name of the 
Religious Society in the town of Belfast. 
In the petition they assert 'that there is 
settled within said town of Belfast a min- 
ister who tho' approved by a majority of 
the Inhabitants of said town hold tenets 
and preaches doctrines which your peti- 
tioners cannot conscientiously receive.' 
Also, 'we sincerely and honestly believe 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



that the principles approved and doctrine.s 
inculcated by the Minister of the Town 
are unscriptural, immoral and distinctive 
to the order and interest of Society.' 

Tiie General Court ordered the peti- 
tioners to notify the Town of Belfast by 
serving the Clerk thereof with an at- 
tested copy of this petition & their or- 
der thereon thirty days before the second 
tuesday of their next session that they 
may appear and shew cause if any they 
have why the prayer of said petition 
should not be granted. In November the 
Town appointed Robert Houston E^q 
John Cochnn 2ad and Tolford Durham 
a committee to present a memorial in be 
half of the town against this petition. 
This memorial which appears at full 
length on the town records is ably and in- 
geniously written & it met with a f tvour- 
able reception for at the next session o! 
the Legislature the petitioners had leave 
to withdraw their petition. 

1799. Mr. John Cochran died January 
1st aged 59. 

1800. Mrs. M. H. Cochran died March 
8th aged 85. Mr. Samuel Eells died Ausr. 
3d aged 41. Mr. Benjamin Nesraith dind 
Sept. 18th aged 66. This town contains 

Inhabitants. 

1801. William Cunningham Jonathan 
Wilson, William Patterson, Ejjhraim Mc 
Farland, Samuel Russell, R)bert Patter- 
son 2nd Abner G. McKeen, Nathaniel 
Patterson, Ephraim McKeen, Jac ib 
Eimes, Robert B. Cochran and John S. 
Osborn were incorporated Feb. 10th, by 
the name of the Belfast Bridge Company 
to build a toll bridge over Belfast River. 
This commonly called the Upper Briige 
was completed the same year at the ex- 
pense of about $6000. 

1802. Deacon John Tufts died March 
3rd aged 78. Mrs. Grisel Jameson died 



March 18th aged 96. Mr. Robert Steel 
died October 25th aged 43. 

Forty- one deaths happened in town 
this year a list of which is preserved on 
the church records. 

The town appointed a committee to 
wait on the Rev. Mr. Price to see on what 
conditions he would have his connexions 
as minister of the town dissolved. The 
terms that he proposed were that they 
should pay up the arrearages of his salary 
give him two hundred and fifty dollars and 
procure for him a warrantee deed of the 
parsonage lot from the proprietors. On 
his part he would give a deed to the town 
of one acre of the same lot where the 
East meeting house stands and moreover 
would lay out a sufificieat quantity of land 
for a burying ground. His offer was ac- 
cepted and his dismission took place Sept. 
22nd. 

1803. The town voted 500 dollars for 
the support of schools and 2000 for the 
repairs of highways. A company of Ar- 
tillery was organized within the bounds of 
this Regiment and its officers were Jona- 
than Wilson Capt. Ephraim McFarland 1st 
Lieut. ; Thomas Cunningham 2Qd Lieut. 
Jonathan Wilson E-q. was chosen Rep- 
resensative to the Legislature the first 
ever sent by this town. 

1804. This town gave 102 votes for 
Governor. A company of Cavalry was 
organized here, and John Wilson was 
commissioned its captain R ibert White 
1st Lieut. Joseph Houston 2nd Lieut.; 
& Abel Baker Cornet. Jenny Patter- 
son daughter of James Patterson and 
Elizabeth his wife and the youngest of 
their twelve children was born April 11th, 
Her eldest brother was at this time 28 
years 4 months and twenty six days old 
and the mother a little rising of forty six 
years. 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



II 



1805. Jonathan Wilson Esq. and his 
associates were iucorporated for the pur- 
pose of building a toll bridge over Belfast 
river at the village called Belfast East 
Bridge March 14. 

Lemuel Weeks Esq. died May 20th 
aged 50. 

Rev. Alfred Johnson vpas installed 
minister of this town Sept. 25th salary 
$700 per ann. 

1806. Belfast East Bridge was complet- 
ed at the expense of $18,500. Its length 
was 122 rods. 

1807. Mr. Solon Stephenson died Feb. 
14 ih aged 78. 

1808. Belfast Academy was incorporat- 
ed Feb. 29th and the following gentlemen 
constituted tlie Board of Tiustees, George 
Ulmer and Samuel A. Whitney Esqr.s. ; 
Rev. Alfred Johnson; Phineas Ashmun, 
Bohan P. Field, Thomas Whittier James 
Nesmilh, Nathan Read, John Wilson & 
Jonathan Wilson Esqrs; Doct. Thaddeus 
Hubbard, Doct. Oliver Mann Rev. Wil- 
iam Mason, Rev. Mighill Blood and Caleb 
B. Hall Esq. Votes for Governor 186. 

1809. Abel Baker Constable and Col- 
lector of taxes for the years 1806, 1807, and 
1808 having absconded with considerable 
of the Towns money a meeting of the In- 
habitants was notified and held Feb. 9th 
to make choice of a Collector to complete 
the collection of taxes in the bills commit- 
ted to the said Baker. This arrant rogue 
never afterwards appeared here and the 
town after making the necessary abate- 
ments recovered the deficit on the bonds. 
Mr. James Gilmore died Nov. 28th. 

Rev. Alfred Johnson addressed a letter 
to the Assessors of the town stating in 
substance that he understood several per- 
sons liable to ministerial taxes in this 
town had joined others in a petition to be 
incorporated into a Baptist Society where- 



by the burden of his support might be 
greater on those who continued members 
of his society he therefore thro' them 
would declare that those who remain 
faithful to the covenants of the town with 
him their taxes should not be increased 
by the apostacy of others. 

1810. The town contains 1,274 inhabi- 
tants. Mrs. Brown died aged 90. John 
Merriam and twenty -eight others, peti- 
tioners to be incorporated by the name of 
the first Baptist Society in Belfast had an 
order of notice granted on their petition 
which was duly served and the Town at a 
meeting Dec. 13ch did not think proper to 
remonstrate. — 

1811. The Baptist Society was incor 
porated. 

James Nesmith Esq. died March 4th- 
aged 47. 

Belfast Academy was opened May 17th 
and an address was delivered by Mr. 
James Porter the first Preceptor. — A ship 
of 490 tons was built here called the Bel- 
fast of .New York. 

1812. Number of Polls in Belfast 319. 
Mr. James G )rdon died aged 86. 

Rev. Alfred Johnson gave the first 
Congregational Parish a bond relinguish- 
ing his silary during the present war with 
Great Britain & not long after one ex- 
tending the time indefinitely, 

1813. John Wilson E-^q. of this town 
was elected member of Congress two 
years from March 4th. 

Benjamin Poor Esq. died Aug. 10th 
aged 52. — 

Rev. Alfred Johnson took his dismis- 
sion Oct. 3rd 1814. The British landed a 
body of troops in this Town amounting 
to about six hundred Sept. Ist who 
embarked on the 5th. 

1815. Messrs. Nathan Cram, Parker 
Brown and Daniel Toward of this town 



l..fC 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



and Mr. Joseph Woodward of Islesboro" 
were drowned by the upsetting of a boat 
in Belfast Bay Oct. 23rd. 

William Lowney A. M., a graduate of 
Dublin College died Nov. 8th aged 76. 

1816. This was a remarkably cold sea- 
son. Apple trees were in, blossom July 
1st, and the crops were very scanty. 

A Town meeting. was held Sept. 2nd to 
consider the question of separating the 
District of Maine from Massachusetts oh 
certain prescribed ..^terms. The votes 
stood thus, yeas 95, nays 65, and Alfred 
Johnson & John MerrJam Esqrs. were 
appointed Delegates. — 

1817. John Wilson Esq. was again 
elected member iCongress. Mr. Francis 
Anderson died Fed. 22ad aged 39. 

Mr. Patrick Gilbreth died April 4th 
aged 78. 

Mr. John Brown died in May aged 86. 

1818. A Custom House was establish- 
ed here and Col. Daniel Lane appointed 
Collector. — 

Rev. William Frothingham received a 
call from the first Congregational Parish 
April 27th & from the Church May 7th 
to settle with them in the work of the 
Gospel ministry. 

Mrs. West, wife of Enos West died at 
Monroe, May 7th aged 46. (7). 

The frame of the first Congregational 
Meeting house was raised J une lOtb and 
11th. 

The new Meeting house was solemnly 
dedicated Nov. 15th. 

The cost of it including the bell purchas- 
ed afterwards by the Parish was about 
$7,500; the expense of which was defray- 
ed by the sale of the pews. 

Kev. William Frothingham made a com- 
munication in answer to the call given 

7. She was the first child born here, 



him to settle here as follows: 

(See original letter). 

1819. The small pox made its appear- 
ance and one hundred and fifty persons 
were the subjects of the disease in this town 
between ihe middle of April & the end 
of June. It was first introduced here by 
picking up and washing some infected 
clothes which had drifted ashore. To 
nine persons it proved fatal. 

On the return of Rev. Mr. Frothingham 
in May some disagreement beinff found to 
exist between him and a majority of the 
Church in respect to religious tenets and 
a church covenant, the parish unwilling 
to entrust the church with the ma'iing ar- 
rangements to settle Rev. Mr. F. under 
present circumstances assumed the right 
of selecting the council and a committee 
of eight was chosen with power to choose 
a council and provide suitable accommo- 
dations for them at the expense of the 
Parish. The Parish Committee and Rev. 
Mr. F. having chosen an equal number to 
compose an Ecclesiastical Council, the day 
was fixed on and the council appeared. A 
few weeks before his installation the 
church informed Rev. Mr. F. that the 
calUnj; of the council according to ecclesi- 
astical usage belonged exclusively to 
themselves and not to the Parish; they 
had voted, that the council should con- 
sist of nine ministers and their delegates 
of which they had chosen six & he might 
elect three. This proposal was rejected 
by Rev. Mr. F. and he was settled July 
21st without a church. The Clergy who 
ufliciated at the installation of the Rev. 
Mr. Frothingham were Rev. Dr. Ripley 
of Concord, Rev. Dr. AUyn of Duxbury, 
Rev. Mr. Lowell of Boston, Rev, Dr. 
Packard of Wiscasset, Rev. Mr. Mason of 
Castine and Rev. Mr. Warren of Jackson. 
His salary is $600. per annum. — 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



'3 



On Thursday August 12th Rev. Wil- 
liam Frotbingharn, Samuel CunniDgbam, 
Natban Read, William Poor, Nicholas 
Coffin «fe Herman Abbot formed them- 
selves into a Church by adopting. a plat- 
form and covenant & at the end of this 
year it consisted of eighteen members. 

Alfred Johnson Esq. was chosen by 
the town Sept. 20th a Delegate to the 
Convention for framing a Constitution for 
the State of Maine. — 

1820. This town contains 2026 inhabi- 
tants of which 402 are ratable polls. A 
number of the inhabitants seceded from 
the first & formed a second Congrega- 
tional Parish in May. (8) 

1821. Rev. Mr. Frothingham's church 
having increased to twenty seven mem- 
bers, two Deacons were appointed on the 
fourth day of June. — 

Mr. Laughlin McDonald died July 24th. 
His age was not accurately known, but 
supposed to exceed one hundred years. 

1822. A company of Lighti. Infantry 
was organized, and its officiers were Joel 
Hills Captain, Dudley Griffin Lieuten- 
ant, and Loriug Yarney Ensign. The 
town has 485 ratable polls. 

The First Baptist Society purchased the 
old West meeting house, removed it to a 
central part of the village and put it in 
good repair. It is a one story building 36 
feet square and has 49 pews. (9) 

The conference meeting house (10) 40 
feet by 32 was built for the Second Con- 
gregational parish. 

8. The present Congregational Society. 

9. The place of removal was Bridge street, be- 
tween High and Washington streets. In 1838 it 
wa> converted into a stable, and existed as such 
until 1895. 

10. It stood on Primrose Hill, just above the 
house of Ralph C .lohnson. After the erection 
of ihe North church, it was removed to Front 
street and was destroyed by flro in 1851. 



1823. Number of ratable polls 525. In 
one year ending Sept. 1st the Selectman 
granted forty- eight Store, four Tavern, 
and two victualling Licenses, which yield- 
ed an income to the town amounting to 
two huudred and eighty- live dollars. 

1824. The town voted to give Col. 
Nathan Stanley Six hundred and seventy 
dollars to free the town one year from all 
expense on account of paupers. Three 
thousand dollars were raised for repairs 
of highways and fifteen hundred for the 
support of schools. Number of polls 
574, and of School Districts 14. 

The Town houss, a handsome brick 
building was begun. (11). 

Rev. Charles Soule was ordained over the 
Second Congregational Parish &. church, 
or as they style themselves the Society 
associated with the first Congregational 
Church June30tli. 

The officiating Clergy were Rev. Messrs, 
Gillett of Halloweil, Tappan of Augusta, 
Blood of Bucksport, Curamings of North 
Yarmouth, Mitchel of Waldoboro, Merrill 
of Freeport and Ingraham of Thomaston. 

Rev. Mr. S )ule8 salary is $ per 

annum. (12). The number of legal 
voters whose names were on the list in 
November was 555. 

The Methodist Meeting House was built 
and solemnly dedicated December 31st. 
(13). 

P^ifty seven deaths happened in town 
this year. Fever combined with Dysen- 
tery was the prevailing epidemic which 
proved very fatal to children. 

11. Now the High schoolhousc. 

12. He was promised $500, besides aiJ from 
abroad. 

13. At the corner of .Miller and Cross streets. 



M 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



List of persons who have died in Bel- 
fast from 1819 to 1824, including some be- 
longing here whose deaths happened 
abroad. 

1819. 

Capt. Samuel Houston 92. 

Dr. Charles Hall 41. 

Mr. Ziba Hall Jr. 

Mr. John Sargents wife 

Mr. Abraham Clark 

Mr. James Gilbreth 

Mr. James Read 

Mr. Soloman Hamilton 

Miss Lydia Qain 

Maj. Wm. Cunningham's wife 

Capt. James Doyle's wife 

Mr. John Brown's wife 

Mr. Andrew Patterson's child 

Mr. Jesse Basford 

Mr. Rabbins 

Mr. Caleb Stevenson's child 

Capt. John Wales' child 

Mr. Samuel Buckmiir's child 

Mr. Elijah Patterson's wife 

The eight last named died of the Small 
Pox. 

Mr. Jones 

Miss Clemenia Toward 

Mr. William Maybew 

Capt. Samuel Bird * 

Mr. Samuel Brown's child 

Mr. Hugh Ross' child 

Mr. William Mayhew's child 

Col. Philip Morrill's child 

Capt. James Doyle's child 

Mr. Samuel Tyler's child 
1820. 

Mr. Jerome Stephenson 82. 

Mr. Archibald York's wife 

Mr. John Thurston's wife 

Mr. Andrew Leac'i 

Mr. Nathaniel Johnson 

Mr. John Houston 

Mr. Issachar Thistle's wife 



Mrs. Sarah Knowlton 

Mr. Daniel Batchelder'a wife 

Miss Esther Gilbreth 

Mr, John Huse 

Mr. Alexander Clark's wife, 49. 

Mr. George Barter. 

Mr. John Winkley t 

Mr. William Davis' child 

Mr. Zacheus Porter's child 

Mr. Peter R )we's child 

Maj. John Russ' child 

Mr. Otho Abbot's child 

Mr. Benjamin Cunningham's child 

Mr. Paul Wentworth's child 

Mr. Daniel Batchelder's child 

Mr. Jeremiah Swan's child 

1821. 
Mrs. McCrillis 
Miss Betsey Gilmore 
Mr. Josiah Twitchel's wife 
Miss Miriam A. Cross 
Capt. Benj. Hazeltine's wife 
Capt. William White * 
Capt. Phineas Kellam * 
Mr. Elisha Small* 
Mr. William C. Kimball * 
Mr. James Smith 
Mr. Martin Patterson* 
Mr. Paul Giles* 
Capt. David Pierce's wife 
Capt. Thomas Stewart 
Mrs. Jones 84 

Mr. Daniel Thurston * 
Capt. James Cunningham's wife 
Mr. Simon D. McDonald's wife 
Mr. Henry Burk's son* 
Mr. Ephraim Coulson's son 
Mr. Ebenezer Burgess' wife 
Mr. Laughlin McDonald 
Mr. Joseph P. Ladd's child 
Mr. Peter Rowe's child 
Mr. Charles Bran's child 
Mr. George P. Day's child 
Mr. William Pitcher's child 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



Mr. Jeremiah Walker's child 
Mr. Eleazer Davis' child 
Mr. David Goddard'e child 
Mr, Issacbar Thistle's child 
Mr. Thomas Pickard's child 
Mr. Alexander C. Todd's child 
Mr. Silvanus Gallison's child 

1822. 
Mr. George Cochran 85 
Mr. James Shirley 57 
Mr. William Patterson 
Col. Thoma.s Cunningham 42 
Benjamin Whittier, Esq. 39 
Mr. Abel B. Eastman 
Mr. William Davis 
Mr. Joseph Williamson'^ wife 
Mr. David Elliot's wife 
Mr. Samuel Walton's wife 
Mr. William Wording's wife 
Mr Hiram Emery 
Mr. John Pace's wife 
Miss Lavina Thompsont 
Miss Abigtil West 
Miss Jane Patterson 
Mr. Franklin M. McKeen 
Mr. Noah Matthewst 
Mr. John Merriam's son 
Mr. John Hopkins' son 
Capt. Harvey B. Eells' child 
Mr. Caleb Stephenson's child 
Mr. John Roberts' child 
Mr. William Frederick's child 
Col. Philip Morrill's child 
Mr. Nicholas Phillip's child 
Mr. Josiah Twitchel's child 
Mr. Thomas Clark's child 

1823. 
Mr. John Durham 74 
Mr. Greenleaf Portei* 
Mr. Moses Prescott 
Mrs. Martha True 
Mrs. Woodward 

Mrs. Hannah Huse* 
Miss Nancy Kidder 



Miss Margaret Lymburner 
Miss Mary E. .jackson. 
Mr. Ziccheus 1 orter's child 
Mr. Joshua Adams' child 
Mr. Nicliolas Phillips child 
Capt. Nathin Swan's child 
Capt. Josiah Simpson's son 
Mr. Peter Holmes' son 
Mr. James Durham's child 
Mr. William Quimby's child 
Mr. Samuel Jacksons Jr. child 
Young man at Capt. N. Eells t 

1824. 
Capt. Soloman Kimball 73 
Mr. S imuel Huse 
Mr. J<in es Patterson 80 
Mr. M.lton Patterson 
Hezekiah Torrey E-q , 
Mr. Nathaniel Holden 
Mr. Andrew McFarland* 
Mr. Caleb Smith 58 
Robert Houston E>q. CO 
Mr. Jonathan Clark 78 1 
Mr. Henry Pendleton* 
Mrs. Starret P White 
Mr. Rilph Matthewst 
Mr. Michael NortoLt 
Mr. Daniel Davis 
Mr. John Brown 
Z-iccheus Porter Esq. 44 
C ipt. William Furber's son* 
Mr. Oliver Lane I 
Mr. Leonard Crosby's wife 
Mr. Samuel Jackson's wife 
Mrs. Sturtivant 
Mr. Gershom F. Cox's wife 
Mr. Thomas Pickard's wife 
Mrs. Houston 

Mrs. Harriet Smith* 
Mr. Abraham Libby's wife 
Miss Julia Longfellow 
Miss Hannah Rowet 
Miss Mary Stanley 
Miss Emeline Stanley 



I6 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



Mr. Nathan Stanley Jr. 

Capt. Miller's Sailoit 

Mrs. Giles child 

Mr. John Thurston's child 

Mr, John P. Kimball's child 

Mr. Soloman Cunningham's child 

Mr. William Torrey's child* 

Mr. Thomas Houston's child 

Mr. Edward Wi^jht's child 

Mr. Jusiah Hall's child 

Mr. Cyrus Hall's child 

Mr. BenjiTnin Eells' child 

Mr. Dennis Emery's child 

Mr. Thomas Flagoer's cliild 

Mr. Benjimin Monro's child 

Mr. Isaac Dunham's child 

William Ryan's child 

Mr. William Eyan's child 

Mr. Robert Smart's child 

Mr, Josiah D. Hinds' child 

Mr. Josiah D. Hinds' child 

Mr. James Kelloch's child 

Mr. James Kellock's child 

Mr. William White's Jr. child 

Mr. Lewis Beau's Jr. child 

Mr. Nathaniel Patterson's 2od child 

Mr. John B. Durham's child 

Mr. Jacob Cunningham's child 

Mr. Benjamin Brown 

Mr, Elijah Torrey's child 

Mr. Andrew W. Park's child 

Mr. James Morrice* 



♦denotes died abroad, 
ures denote the age. 



tbeloDged abroad. Fig- 



List of Moderators presiding at meet- 
ings for the choice of Town Officers in 
Belfast. Also Clerks, Selectmen, Treas- 
urers, Constables & Representatives. 

1773 to 1825. 

MODERATORS. 

1773 Thomas Goldthwait* 1773. 

1774 John Brown* 1774. 

1775 John Tufts* 1777. 
1778 John Mitchel* 1778. 



1779 John Brown* 1779. 

1785 John Tufts* 1786, 

1787 James Patterson* 1787. 

1788 Samuel McKeen* 1788, 

1789 John Brown* 1789. 

1790 Jerome Stephenson* 1790. 

1791 John Brown* 1792, 
1793 Lemuel Weeks* 1794. 
1795 Jerome Stephenson* 1796. 

1797 Tolford Durham 1797. 

1798 Jonathan Wilson 1798. 

1799 Robert Steel* 1799. 

1800 Jonathan Wilson 1800. 

1801 Thomas Cunningham 1804. 
1805 William Crosby 1811. 

1812 Oakes Angi.r 1812. 

1813 Thomas Cunningham 1813. 

1814 Jonathan VVilson 1814. 

1815 William Crosby 1815. 

1816 Jonathan Wilson 1816. 

1817 Bohan P. Field 1818. 

1819 William Crosby 1819. 

1820 Bohan P. Field 1823. 
1824 William White, 

CLERKS, 

1773 John Mitchell* 1775, 

1775 Samuel Houston* 1780. 
1785 Samuel Houston* 1791. 
1791 Alexander Clark 1800. 
1800 Jonathan Wilson 1813. 

1813 William Moody 1814. 

1814 Benjamin Whittier* 1815. 

1815 William Moody 1816. 

1816 Benjamin Whittiei* 1822. 
1822 Herman Abbott. 

SELECTMEN. 

1773 John Brown* 1777. 

1773 Benjamin ISesmith* 1776. 

1773 James Patterson* 1777. 

1776 John Tufts* 1777. 

1777 Solon Stephenson* 1780. 
1777 Robert Patterson 1780. 
1777 Alexander Clark 1780. 
1785 Samuel Houston 1788. 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



17 



1785 

1785 

1787 

1788 

1790 

1790 

1891 

1791 

1792 

1792 

1793 

1794 

1794 

1795 

1796 

1797 

1797 

1798 

1798 

1799 

1800 

1800 

1801 

1802 

1802 

1803 

1803 

1804 

1805 

1805 

1805 

1806 

1806 

1806 

1808 

1809 

1809 

1810 

1810 

1811 

1811 

1812 

1813 

1813 
1814 



James Patterson* 1787. 

John Cochrau* 1791. 

Solon Stephenson* 1790. 

Tolford Durham 1790. 

Jijnathan VVils:^n 1791. 

Robert Steel* 1792. 

Samuel McKeen* 1793. 

Alexander Clark 1792. 

Samuel Houston 1797. 

Jonathan Wilson 1794. 

James Miller 1794. 

James Nesmith* 1795. 

Robert Steel* 1797. 

James Miller 1796. 

Alexander McMillan 1799. 

Henry True* 1798. 

Nathaniel Patterson 1798. 

Robert Houston* 1802. 

Daniel Clary 1800. 

Ephraim McFarland 1800. 

James Nesmith 1803. 

James Miller 1801. 

Thaddeus Spring* 1802. 

Samuel Houston 1803. 

John Cochra 1 1805. 

Robert Houston* 1805 

James Millet 1804. 
Thomas Cunningham 1805. 

William Crosby 1806. 

Reuben Derbj* 1806. 

Tolfoid Duiham 1806. 

William Moody 1810. 

Bohan P. Field 1808. 

Samuel Houston 1809. 

Isaac Senter 1809. 

Henry Goddard 1811. 

George Watson 1810. 

Samuel Houston 1813. 

John Merriara 1811. 

George Watson 1814. 

Benjamin Poor* 1812. 

Benjamin Whittier* 1813. 

Jonathan White 1814. 

Joseph Houston 1814. 

Asa Edmunds 1815. 



1814 ISathaniel Eells 

1814 Robert Patterson 

1815 George Watson 
1815 Jonathan White 

1815 Joseph Houston 

1816 Robert Patterson 

1817 Manasseh Sleeper 
1817 .Nathaniel Eells 

1817 John Merriam 

1818 James McCrillis 

1819 John S. Kimball 

1820 John Merriam 
1820 Nathan Swan 

1822 Manasseh Sleeper 

1823 Philip Morrill 

1823 William Avery 

1824 George Watson 

1824 Salathiel Nickerson 

1825 Rufus B. AUyn 
1825 Joseph Smith 
1825 Samutl Gordon 

TREASURERS. 

1773 John Barnet 

1779 John Cochran 

1785 John Tufts 

1786 Tolford Durham 

1796 Jonathun Wilson 

1797 Solon Stephenson 

1798 Tolford Duiham 
1802 James Nesmith 

1805 Bohan P. Field 

1806 James Nesmith * 
1809 John Wilson 

1812 John Huse 

1813 John Anuier 

1814 John Merriara 

1815 John Cochran 

1817 Asa Edmunds 

1818 John S. KimbUl 

1820 Zacheus Porter 

1821 Rutus B. AUyn 

1822 John S. Kimball 

1823 Samuel French 

1824 Thomas Marshall. 



1815. 

1815. 

1817. 

1817. 

1816. 

1817. 

1820. 

1818. 

1819. 

1825. 

1820. 

1823. 

1822. 

1823. 

1824. 

1824. 

1825. 

1825. 



1779. 
1780. 
1786. 
1796. 
1797. 
1798. 
1802. 
1805. 
1806. 
1809. 
1812. 
1813. 
1814. 
1815. 
1817. 
1818. 
1820. 
1821. 
1822. 
1823. 
1824. 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 





CONSTABLES. 




1809 


John Merriam 


1810. 


1773 


William Patterson 


1775. 


1810 


Thomas Cunningham* 


1815. 


1775 


Nathaniel Patterson 


1776. 


1815 


John Merriam 


1817. 


1776 


John Durham* 


1777. 


1817 


Stephen Longfellow 


1821. 


1777 


John Davidson 


1778. 


1821 


Samuel Cunningham 


1821. 


1778 


James Millei* 


1779. 


1821 


Robert Patterson 


1822. 


1779 


John Brown* 


1780. 


1822 


Nathaniel M. Lowney 


1823. 


1785 


John Brown 


1786. 


1823 


Thomas Cunningham 


1824. 


1786 


John Tufts 


1787. 


1824 


Stephen Longfellow 


1825 


1787 


James Patterson 


1788. 


1825 


John Wagg 




1788 


Samuel Houston 


1789. 


1825 


John T Poor. 




1789 


Benjamin Nesmith 


1790. 


1825 


Isaac B. Ulmer. 




1790 
1791 


Solon Stephenson 
William Patterson 


1791. 
1792. 




REPRESENTATIVES. 




1792 


James Miller 


1793. 


1803 


Jonathan Wilson 


1805. 


1793 


John Cochram 


1794. 


1806 


John Wilson 


1807. 


1794 


Robert Patterson 


1795. 


1807 


Thomas Whittier* 


1808. 


1795 


Jonathan Wilson 


1796. 


1808 


Jonathan Wilson 


1810. 


1796 


John Brown* 


1797. 


1810 


Thomas Whittier* 


1812. 


1797 


Robert Steel* 


1798. 


1812 


George Watson 


1814. 


1798 


John Cochran 


1799. 


1812 


Jonathan Wilson 


1813. 


1799 


William Houston 


1800. 


1816 


John Merriam 


1817. 


1800 


John Brown* 


1801. 


1818 


William White 


1819. 


1801 


Nathaniel Eells 


1802. 


1819 


Alfred Johnson 


1821. 


1802 


Jeremiah Bean 


1803. 


1819 


John S, Kimball 


1820. 


1803 


Paul Giles* 


1804. 


1821 


Ralph C. Johnson 


1822. 


1804 


Thomas Reed 


1805. 


1822 


James McCrillis 


1824. 


1805 


John Russ 


1806. 


1824 


George Watson 


1825. 


1806 


Abel Baker 


1809. 


1825 


James McCrillis 





LIBRRRY OF CONGRESS 



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